Means for forming couplings or joints.



W. J. LEIGHTY. MEANS FOR FORMING COUPLINGS 0R JOINTS. APPLICATION FILEDMAR.11,'1912.

Patented Apr. 21, 1914,

4 SHEETS-SHEET1.

Um nesses we??? M W.J.LEIGHTY. MEANS FOR FORMING COUPLINGS OR JOINTS.

APPLIOATION FILED MAR. 11, 1912. I

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W. J. LEIGHTY. MEANS FOR FORMING COUPLINGS 0R JOINTS. APPLICATION FILED111111.11, 1912.

Patented Apr. 21, 1914.

4 SHEETS-SHEET 3.

I W. J. LBIGHTY.

MEANS FOR FORMING COUPLINGS 0R JOINTS.

. APPLIOATION-I'ILED MAR. 11, 1912.

1,093,868. 7 Patnted Apr. 21, 1914;

4 SHEETS-SHEET 4.

-UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

:r. LEIenrY, or rornm, KANSAS, Assmuon OF-ONE-HALF T HENRY w.

moons; or" 'rornm, KANSAS.

MEANS FOR FORMING COUPLINGS OR JOINTS.

Specification of Letters Patent.

Application filed lliarch 1 1, 1912. Serial No. 683,112.

To all whom it may concern:

' a citizen of the UniterPStates, and resident of Topeka, in the countyof Shawnee and State of Kansas, have invented certain new and usefulImprovements in Means for Forming Couplings or Joints, of which thefollowing is a description, reference being had to the accompanyingdrawings, which form a part of my specification.

My inventionrelates more especlally to means whereby wedged couplingomts may be eflected between cylindrical members or several abuttingmembers of the'same peripheral form at the point of connection, as forexample the ends of hose, plpes, or cylinders. v

The object of my invention is to provlde means which are simple inconstruction, economical in manufacture, and which will at the same timebe readily adjustable to effect a proper coupling or joint and alsopermit the joint to be quickly uncoupled.

A further ob ect of the invention 1s to provide means which will bepositive in operation and at the same time durable so as to withstandunusually hard usage without impairing its efliciency, and also wherebyuniform pressure will be exerted on all surfaces forming the joint,avoiding the necessity for extra strength in studded joints which isrequired on account of the springing apart of the faces of the jointbetween the studs, thereby causing leaks. My 1mproved means not onlyprovides unlform pressure on the joint formlng surfaces, but permits ofa lighter and more compact construction being employed.

The invention is especiallyadapted for securing together the abuttingends or walls of any pipe line, cylinder, vessel or receptacle thatpresents circular or outwardly curved surfaces having flat faces; being,however, equally adapted for mere retaining joints or joints under anyrequired pressure, as will be more fully understood from the followingdetailed description of the accompanying illustrations.

In the drawings :Figure 1 is a longitudinal sectional view illustratingmy invention in the form of a pipe union, whereby the ends of twoportions of pipe are shown coupled together. Fig. 2 is a cross sectionalview taken on the line AB of Fig. 1 and looking downward in thedirection of the larrows. Fig. 3 is a side elevation of the iconstruction illustrated in Fig. 1, with the various members separatedand opened out. iFig. 4 is a view .taken on the line CD of Fig. 3looking. in the directionof the arrow. Fig. 5 is a longitudinalsectional view of a ortion of an internal combustion motor cylinder,illustrating the application of my invention for forming the jointsbetween the crank case and the cylinder and between the cylinder and thecylinder head. Fig. 6 is a cross sectional view taken on the line E--Fof Fig. 5, looking in the direction of the arrow. Fig. 7 illustrates myinvention in the nature of a hose coupling; the figure beinga partialelevation and partial longitudinal sectional view, Fig. 8 is a crosssectional view taken on the line GI-I of Fig. 7 looking in the directionof the arrow and illustratingthe coupling in unclamped position. Fig. 9is a similar view illustrating the coupling inclosed or clampedposition. Fig. 10 is a longitudinal sectional view of a form of myinvention is used to clamp the head on the end of the cylinder. Fig. 11is a cross sectional view taken on the line KL of Fig. 10, looking inthe direction of the arrow and showing the means in operative or clampedposition.

The exemplifications of my invention, as shown in the various figures,indicate the adaptability or the general application of my invention toconditions where cylindrical joints, unions or couplings are employed;while the construction shown in Figs. 1 to 4 maybe considered as mypreferred form.

In Fig. l, I show a connection between the abutting ends of two tubularmembers or pipes 1 and 2; the ends being provided with thimbles 3 and4.. The .thimbles 3 and 4 may be secured to the ends of the pipes in anysuitable manner, but preferably by being screwed thereon as shown. Theouter ends of both thimbles 3 and 4:, that is the ends which will bebrought adjacent to each other, are provided with annular flanges orribs it -and 4:. The non-contacting portions of the flanges or collars 3and 4! are beveled or tapered toward the body of the thimbles, see Figs.1 and 3; and one of the thimbles, to wit thimble 4:, is also shownprovided with the outwardly tapering orifice as clearly shown at 4".Clamping means adapted to encircle the flanged ends or colportion of acylinder, wherein a modified lars ofl the thimbles 3 and 4 are provided,

consisting of the parts 5, 5, of a sectional ring; the innercircumference of the sect ons is provided with a groove 5*, the sideswhereof are oppositely beveled to correspond with the beveled faces onthe annular flanges or collars of thimbles 3 and 4. The two ringsections 5, 5, are hinged or pivoted together at 6'in any suitable yetendurable manner; while the opposite end of one of the sections isprovided with an eyebolt 7. This eye-bolt 7 is preferably pivotallysecured between the bifurcated end or lobes 5", see Fig. 3; and theother or free end of the bolt is provided with suitable nut 8 whichscrews onto the threaded end of the bolt. The other section 5 of thesectional ring has its free end bifurcated or provided with the parallellugs 5 between which the free end of eye-bolt 7 is adapted to extend.The lugs 5 are so formed as to provide a flat bearing surface for not 8when the two sections have been brought together and the bolt placedbetween the bifurcated end or lugs 5. In the construction shown in Figs.1 and 3, I show one of the thimbles provided with a removable seat 9,one side whereof is beveled to correspond with the beveled orifice 4 ofthimble 4; the member 9 being shown inserted in the countersunk portionsurrounding the orifice of thimble 3. In order to clamp the connectionor union together, thimbles 3 and 4 are brought into proper alinementand the clamping member or seetional ring 5 closed about the flange orcollar on the abutting ends of the thimbles, with the free end of theeye-bolt placed between the lugs 5. By screwing nut 8 onto the eye-bolt,the sectional ring will be firmly clamped into place, through the actionof the wedge shaped groove 5 (see Figs. 1 and 3) on the correspondinglybeveled but oppositely presented surfaces of the collar or flangeportions 3 and 4 Instead of employing the removable seat 9, the adjacentends of the thimbles 3 and 4 may be otherwise formed so as to provide atight joint between them after the clamping means has been applied. Withthe intermediate member 9, it is evident that the forcing together ofthe thimbles will compel the member 9 to firmly engage the beveledorifice of thim- -ble 4.

. -gr oove, formed in the manner previously de- F 'scribed in connectionwith the construction shown in the preceding figures.

The ends of the member 5 are provided with the lugs 10 which areprovided with openings recess or groove in the inner circumference ofthe'members or rings 5 The abutting 30 ends of the cylinder, crank case,and cylinder head, may be formed in any suitable manner so as to producetight connections between them when the clamping member or ring 5 hasbeen put into place, which is accomplished by springing the clampingrings or members over the external collars or flanges of the, respectivemembers, after which the bolt 11 is passed through the lugs 10 and thenut screwed upon the bolt. It is evident from this construction that byscrewing up the nut on the bolt, the clamping member or ring will becontracted, whereby the oppositely beveled surfaces will be firmly drawnor clamped together.

In Figs. 7, 8, and 9, I illustrate still another modified form of myinvention, wherein the same is especially adapted for use as a hosecoupling;-its operation being however substantially similar to thatshown in Fi s.

1 and 4 and previously described. In t e construction illustrated inthese figures, the clamping member or means comprises a sectional orsegmental member, each segment or section 5, 5 5, 5, being provided witha similar wedge shaped groove of the form previously described; thesections being so arranged as to have the grooves coincident with eachother; the angle of the grooves corresponding, of course, with the angleof bevel given to the engaging surfaces, in manner similar to thatpreviously described. The sections 5 are preferably secured to the splitband 15 by the rivets 16. The band 15 is provided with the lugs 17 and17 at its ends, and is so formed that when the same is in normalcondition, the band 15 will maintain or hold the sections 5 apart in anexpanded condition as illustrated in Fig. 8. Pivotally secured betweenthe lugs 17 is an apertured member or nut 18, which is preferably screwthreaded, to receive the end of eye-bolt 20. The member or nut 18 may besecured between the bifurcated end of the band 15 in any suitablemanner, so as to permit of its oscillation and at the same time allowbolt 20 to swing on its pivotal point at 21. This eye-bolt 20 isremovably secured to a lever 19 in any suitable manner as for example bymeans of a cap screw 21. The

lever 19 is rovided with a headportion 19 which pref drably extendsbetween the lugs 17, where the lever 19 is pivotally secured in place.-By providin the elongatedhead portion, it permits of the lever beingpivoted as stated and also permits of the pivotal connection betweeneye-bolt-20 and the lever at one side of the pivotal point between the.lever and the lugs. By so constructing the lever 19, it is madeself-locking either in open position as shown in Fig. 8, or in closedposition as shown in'Fi 9, as the movement of the lever about itspivotal connec tion to the lugs 17 will move the pivotal connectionbetween tlie-eye-bolt 20 and the lever '19 out of alinement with thepivotal point on the lugs. Pressure'will therefore be exerted throu hthe eye-bolt 20 and the nut 18 on the en s of the band or clampingmeans, and the ressure exerted on the eyebolt 20 will hold lever19'firmly against the rm or in clamping position, and will also hold theeye-bolt: 20 when open. The clamping 25 means just described may consistofany number of segments desired, but preferably of the numberillustrated and arranged in the manner described. The two ends of hose,M and N, are each provided with a thimble O, 0, preferably similar inconstruction as shown in Fig. 7, with their outer ends provided withoppositely beveled collars or flanges O which are adapted to extend intothe wedge shaped grooves of the different segments of the clampingmember as clearly shown in Fig. 7. When desired, the outer ends of thethimbles 0 may be provided with.

a countersunk portion surrounding the orifice in which a suitablegasket, as shown at 22, may be placed,thereby insuring a liquid tightconnection. If it is desired to increase the pressure exerted by theclamping means, the cap screw 21 may be removed thereby permitting theeye-bolt 20 to be forced or screwed to a greater extent throughapertured member or nut 18, thus shortening the length of the boltintermediate of the ends of the band, which necessarily will result ingreater pressure being applied when lever 19 is swung into the positionillustrated in Fig. 9. It is clearly evident-from the con-.

struction shown in Fig. 9, where the pivotal point between eye-bolt 20and lever 19 is slightly beyond a dead center, that the pres- .55 sureexerted will tend to firmly hold the lever 19 against the band 15. r

In Figs. 10 and 11, I illustrate another modified form of my invention,as being especially adapted forforming joints between a cylinder oflarge diameter'and its head. In these figures, 23 represents a cylinderhead which is provided with the externally tapered or beveled edge 23,while the adjacent end of the cylinder 24 is provided with the taperedor beveled flange 15 when the clamping means is closed 24:. In theconstruction shown in these figures, the clamping or joint forming meansconsists of a segmental ring 5, which is provided with a tapered orwedge shaped groove in the manner previously described and as clearlyillustrated in Fig. 10. The ends of the sections are providedgvitb thelugs 5 the one surface whereof is preferab y formed so as to provide aflat bearing forthe head of the bolts 25 and the nuts 26. The lugs 5 mayeither be provided with an aperture extending therethrough to receivethebolts 25, or these lugs may be slotted so as to permit of the boltsbeing put into proper position. It is evident from.

the construction shown and described that after the different segmentsof the clamping ring 5have been placed over the beveled flanges 23',24?, of the cylinder head and cylinder, respectively, pressure can beapplied thereto: by; screwing up the different olts 25, which tends toreduce the diameter of the ring; the tapered or wedge shaped grooveswill permit the different portions or segments to creep or move shownand described, but

What I claim and wish to secure by Letters Patent, is

1. Means for forming couplings or joints, comprising a circumferentialmember which may be expanded or contracted, a series of segmentalmembers secured within the circircumferential member and normally spacedapart, said segmental members being provided with wedge-shaped grooveson their inner surfaces, a lever pivotally secured at one end of saidcircumferential member, a bolt pivotally secured to said lever at apointintermediate of the ends of the lever, and a member pivotally secured tothe circumferential member at a point adjacent to the point where saidlever is secured, said'pivoted member being adapted to receive the otherend of said bolt and permit of adjustment lengthwise of the bolt therelation between the pivotal points of the lever, the bolt, and saidlast mentioned member being such that movement of the pivotal point ofthe bolt on the lever toward e1t er side of the pivotal point of thelever on the circumferential member will H contract or expand saidcircumferential r member; Y

2. Meansfor forming couplings or joints, comprising av circumferentialmemberjwhich may be expanded or -contracted,e-a seriesofc'umferer'rtia'l member and normally spaced apart, said segm'entalmembers be ng ro+ 1 Lvi ded with wedge-shaped i groovesaoninnersurfaces, alever pivotally secured at I .one end to: said-member, a boltpivotally se- -cured to said lever'a't a point intermediate of the endsof the lever, and a member piv- "j -otauy secured to the circumferentialmem- 5, n

' said lever is secured, sa d plvoted membfi ber ata point adjacent tothe point where beingadapted to receivez the other end of the bolt-andpermit ,of adjustment of. the

bolt 2 tioned memberbeing such that movement of the pivotal point ofthebolt on the lever the relation-between the pivotal points of thelever, the'bolt, and said last ,men-

toward} either side of the'pivotal point of the lever on-thecircumferential. member --will contract ortgexpand said circumferentialmember, infcfombination with means H I secured/at-a-the. adjacent endsof the two segmental members secured Withimthefeir-Q.

members to be joined together, provided with outer surfacessubstantially similar in peripheral form to the inner peripheryv of thesaid segmental members, said outer surfaces and the inner surfaces ofthe segmental members being correlated and so arranged that contractionof the circumferential member will force the two members together, and aremovable member having surfaces corresponding with theinner surfaces ofsaid last' mentioned means and adapted to seat between the adjacent endsthereof. 4

v p J. LEIGHTY. Witnesses:

Y A. J. SoHoENncm,

FRANK M.. J A0088.

